nounEtymology: Middle English fraunk encense, from Anglo-French franc encens, from franc (perhaps in sense “of high quality”) + encens incenseDate: 14th century
a fragrant gum resin from trees of a genus (Boswellia of the family Burseraceae) of Somalia and southern coastal Arabia that is an important incense resin and has been used in religious rites, perfumery, and embalming

FRANKINCENSE — (Heb. לְבוֹנָה), the chief ingredient of the temple incense . It is mentioned a number of times among the treasures of the Temple (Neh. 13:5; I Chron. 9:29). It was burnt with the sacrifice of meal offering (Lev. 2:1) and placed upon the rows of… … Encyclopedia of Judaism

Frankincense — Frank in*cense, n. [OF. franc free, pure + encens incense.] A fragrant, aromatic resin, or gum resin, burned as an incense in religious rites or for medicinal fumigation. The best kinds now come from East Indian trees, of the genus {Boswellia}; a … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

frankincense — ► NOUN ▪ an aromatic gum resin obtained from an African tree and burnt as incense. ORIGIN from Old French franc encens high quality incense … English terms dictionary

frankincense — [fraŋ′kin sens΄] n. [ME &LT; OFr franc encens (in sense “pure, high grade” incense): see FRANK1 & INCENSE1] a gum resin obtained from various Arabian and African trees (genus Boswellia) of the bursera family and used in perfumes and as incense;… … English World dictionary

frankincense — /frang kin sens /, n. an aromatic gum resin from various Asian and African trees of the genus Boswellia, esp. B. carteri, used chiefly for burning as incense in religious or ceremonial practices, in perfumery, and in pharmaceutical and fumigating … Universalium

Frankincense — (Heb. lebonah; Gr. libanos, i.e., white ), an odorous resin imported from Arabia (Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20), yet also growing in Palestine (Cant. 4:14). It was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (Ex. 30:34), and was used as an… … Easton's Bible Dictionary

frankincense — frank|in|cense [ fræŋkın,sens ] noun uncount a substance that is burned to produce a nice smell in some religious ceremonies. Frankincense is a type of incense … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

frankincense — [[t]fræ̱ŋkɪnsens[/t]] N UNCOUNT Frankincense is a substance which is obtained from a tree and which smells pleasant when it is burned. It is used especially in religious ceremonies … English dictionary

frankincense — UK [ˈfræŋkɪnsens] / US [ˈfræŋkɪnˌsens] noun [uncountable] a substance that is burned to produce a nice smell in some religious ceremonies. Frankincense is a type of incense … English dictionary